advice sought-Giga w/Finale and Cubase SX3

Running a fast windows computer here 2 gig ram @ 3gHz, and a dedicated Maxtor External H.D. 350 Gig to stream sound. (I have shifted out of MAC). No Latency problems. Echo Layla 24 Sound Card. Getting some pops off it. Also have Sigma Tel II (lousey - I use the Echo). Making long sound recordings of 15 minutes each. Everything is fine until I introduce Cubase SX3 using REWIRE. I want to tweek and record through Cubase. System CRASHES.

Tried everything.

Equipment is new. Any advice is appreciated. Also, every time I record a wave file (presently doing it entirely through Gigstudio) - it is being read as a "protected" file and I'm not able to make an MP3 of my own stuff.

Got a deadline. Sure could use some help. I'm in Tokyo and it is difficult to call for support to the software folks.

Any ideas regarding the occasional pops on the Echo? Thank you, thank you - all geeks and wizards!

You should also post your question at the Northern Sounds forum. There are a lot more GigaStudio users there, and many have been through the issues you are facing. www.northernsounds.com